The trial of Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, is currently underway at the Batumi City Court.

Batumi Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze is being questioned during the hearing.

At the start of the session, one individual left the courtroom in protest, while the judge expelled another. The judge also ordered the filming crew of TV company Formula to leave, citing the illegality of live broadcasting from the courtroom. However, the journalist from Formula argued that the broadcast was delayed by several minutes, following legal requirements.

During his testimony, Irakli Dgebuadze described the protest rallies in Batumi, initially stating that police had friendly relations with the demonstrators. However, he claimed that the situation escalated dramatically on the night of March 11–12, after a girl was arrested for placing a sticker on a police officer. According to Dgebuadze, protesters who moved toward the police station that night became particularly aggressive. He also noted that two of the detained individuals were drunk and verbally abusive toward officers.

Dgebuadze alleged that Mzia Amaglobeli confronted him about the arrest of her family members and that the exchange escalated into aggression and a slap.

“Even the protest participants were shocked by her aggression and behaviour—let alone the police officers. I felt pain. And if someone can name a synonym for what a person feels after being slapped—yes, sir,” Dgebuadze stated.

He is expected to answer questions from both the prosecution and the defense. Mzia Amaglobeli is present at the trial.